Ilmar Raag
Encyclopedia
Ilmar Raag is an Estonian
media executive, screenwriter and film director, best known for his socio-critical film The Class (Estonian
: Klass). He has served as CEO of Estonian National Television from 2002 to 2005. He is well known columnist
in many prestigious Estonian newspapers (Postimees
, Eesti Päevaleht
). In recent years he has written many scripts and directed critically acclaimed films, notably August 1991 and The Class.
Raag was born in Kuressaare
on 21 May 1968. He received his high school education from Aleksander Mui secondary school No 2 of Kingissepa. He graduated from University of Tartu
in 1997 and received his M.A. degree in screenwriting from Ohio University
, the School of Telecommunications (1999). He made internships in Hollywood development departments (New Regency, Phoenix Pictures). His further career took him to the TV management. After being the Head of Acquisitions for Estonian National Television, he was promoted to the Chairman of the Board of the same TV company. In 2002, he staged a play in one of the Estonian theaters (Ugala
). At the same time, he started to consult and doctor Estonian feature scripts. In 2004, he wrote two TV feature scripts. He directed one of them - August 1991 as made for TV movie for Estonian Television and the other One More Croissant got the third prize at Hartley Merill International Screenwriting Competition and the support from MEDIA New Talent program.
Eager to continue his filmmaking career, he quit as CEO of Estonian National Television and made his first feature film The Class in 2007.
Currently he is developing new projects with producer Riina Sildos from Amrion (Estonia).
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
media executive, screenwriter and film director, best known for his socio-critical film The Class (Estonian
Estonian language
Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...
: Klass). He has served as CEO of Estonian National Television from 2002 to 2005. He is well known columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
in many prestigious Estonian newspapers (Postimees
Postimees
Postimees is an Estonian daily newspaper. It was established in 1 January 1857 by Johann Voldemar Jannsen and became Estonia's first daily newspaper in 1891....
, Eesti Päevaleht
Eesti Päevaleht
Eesti Päevaleht is a major daily Estonian newspaper, from the same publishers as the weekly Eesti Ekspress. It has a daily circulation of around 36,000....
). In recent years he has written many scripts and directed critically acclaimed films, notably August 1991 and The Class.
Raag was born in Kuressaare
Kuressaare
Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706 Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706...
on 21 May 1968. He received his high school education from Aleksander Mui secondary school No 2 of Kingissepa. He graduated from University of Tartu
University of Tartu
The University of Tartu is a classical university in the city of Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia; it is the biggest and highest-ranked university in Estonia...
in 1997 and received his M.A. degree in screenwriting from Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
, the School of Telecommunications (1999). He made internships in Hollywood development departments (New Regency, Phoenix Pictures). His further career took him to the TV management. After being the Head of Acquisitions for Estonian National Television, he was promoted to the Chairman of the Board of the same TV company. In 2002, he staged a play in one of the Estonian theaters (Ugala
Ugala
Ugala is a theatre in the city of Viljandi in Estonia. It was founded in 1920 opening on January 10 of that year.-Ugala's Artistic Directors:*1925 - 1926: Andres Särev.*1926 – 1928: Eduard Lemberg.*1928 – 1932: Alfred Mering.*1932 – 1933: Valter Soosõrv....
). At the same time, he started to consult and doctor Estonian feature scripts. In 2004, he wrote two TV feature scripts. He directed one of them - August 1991 as made for TV movie for Estonian Television and the other One More Croissant got the third prize at Hartley Merill International Screenwriting Competition and the support from MEDIA New Talent program.
Eager to continue his filmmaking career, he quit as CEO of Estonian National Television and made his first feature film The Class in 2007.
Currently he is developing new projects with producer Riina Sildos from Amrion (Estonia).
Filmography as Director
- 2007 Klass (The Class)
- 2005 August 1991 (television film)
- 1998 Tappev Tartu (Killing Tartu) (amateur film)
Filmography as Writer
- 2008 Mina olin siin (I Was Here)
- 2007 Klass (The Class)
- 2005 Libahundi needus (television film)
- 2005 August 1991 (television film)
- 1998 Tappev TartuTartuTartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
(Killing Tartu) (amateur film)